Brisbane Lions beat Adelaide Crows by two points in AFLW qualifying final at Norwood Oval

The Brisbane Lions are the primary staff by means of to the AFLW preliminary finals after a hard-fought win over the Adelaide Crows at Norwood Oval.

Within the newest match within the rivalry between the 2 sides, the Lions held on within the last seconds to safe a two-point victory, 6.3 (39) to five.7 (37).

The recreation was performed at fierce depth from the very begin.

The Lions kicked the opener from Taylor Smith early within the first quarter, however the Crows hit again virtually instantly with a rating from Eloise Jones.

The one earlier assembly this season got here in spherical eight, when the Lions secured a three-point win in Brisbane.

The guests’ ahead strain was key within the early levels, as they compelled errors from the Adelaide defence.

One such mistake led to one of many targets of the season, as a kickout was spoiled and fell to Irish participant Orla O’Dwyer, who took possession deep within the left ahead pocket and nailed a superb kick off one step to provide her staff a nine-point margin.

That remained the distinction between the edges at quarter-time.

The development continued within the second time period, with the Lions getting extra gamers across the ball and forcing the ball free.

Brisbane struck first once more, with a superb break down the left wing from Cathy Svarc, who freed up Courtney Hodder, who ran and produced an ideal kick to Dakota Davidson. Davidson went again and slotted the purpose to place Brisbane 15 factors clear.

However towards the run of play, Adelaide broke free and Jones kicked the ball from simply inside 50 to bounce by means of a vacant goalsquare for the Crows’ second.

The identical participant took benefit of a holding the ball name as well her third from shut vary with six minutes left within the half.

Either side appeared to have settled to play issues out to half-time, however a Niamh Kelly snap proper on the siren put the Crows in entrance by three factors on the lengthy break.

The momentum had shifted, and Adelaide got here out in comparable mode for the third time period. Inside three minutes Jones had her fourth, because the Lions gave her an excessive amount of room and he or she napped a superb effort round her physique from 35m.

Adelaide had an opportunity for a giant lead, however Caitlin Gould missed with a set shot after a powerful mark inside 50.

The Lions have been beneath fierce strain, however they made use of a uncommon alternative, with Davidson kicking a purpose after a 50-metre penalty.

Jones went again in defence for the Crows and took a few key intercept marks. However within the last seconds, the Lions burst ahead and O’Dwyer kicked her second of the sport to stage the scores.

It was a troublesome last quarter with probabilities few and much between — the Crows led by means of a behind from Danielle Ponter, however the Lions hit the entrance after Sophie Conway marked and thumped the ball from 55m, bouncing over the again for Ally Anderson to volley house from close to the goalline.

The sport got here all the way down to the ultimate seconds, because the Crows’ Yvonne Bonner held a key mark 40m out, then wheeled and kicked lengthy. The Lions defence managed to spoil the ball by means of for a rushed behind, and time ran out for Adelaide.

The Lions now undergo to a house prelim last, whereas the Crows will host the winner of tonight’s elimination last between Gold Coast and Sydney subsequent week in a semi-final.